Timer switch apparatus with improved flexible chain with coded movable pins

ABSTRACT

A numerical control apparatus for use in an automation such as an automatic positioning apparatus which automatically positions the locations for boring, parts mounting or cutting. In this numerical control apparatus, a command signal for controlling the automation is generated by actuation of a multiplicity of microswitches by code pins which are sequentially moved to their microswitch actuating positions.

United States Patent Takano 154] TIMER SWITCH APPARATUS WITH IMPROVEDFLEXIBLE CHAIN WITH CODED MOVABLE PINS [72] Inventor: Hirotugu Takano,Kyoto, Japan [73] Assignec: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.,

Osaka, Japan [22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 25,320

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 21, 1969 Japan ..44/30938[52] US. Cl. ..200/33 C, 66/156, 200/38 CA, 74/563 R, 139/334 [51] Int.Cl. ..H01h 7/00, D04b 15/66, D03c 15/02 [58] Field of Search ..59/5-8,93; 66/156; 74/568; 200/33 B, 33 C, 153 L, 153 LA,

153 LB, 166 B6, 38 CA, 38 C; 139/334 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,223,811 4/1917 Lippitt ..66/156 [4 Feb. 1, 1972 2,236,1363/1941 Gorman ..200/38 C 2,256,417 9/1941 Sturgel ..200/33 C X 2,258,25310/1941 Levoy ..200/33 C 2,397,939 4/1946 Barnes ..66/156 2,437,1683/1948 Marihart 200/33 C X 2,741,107 4/1956 Garner et al. 200/38 C X2,997,867 8/1961 Engelhard ..66/156 3,101,435 8/1963 Welch et a1 200/38CA X 3,455,181 7/1969 Wollenhaupt ...74/568 3,475,987 1 1/1969 Henebry..74/568 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 692,948 8/1965 Italy 139/334Primary ExaminerJ. R. Scott Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [57] ABSTRACT A numerical control apparatus for use in an automation suchas an automatic positioning apparatus which automatically positions thelocations for boring, parts mounting or cutting. In this numericalcontrol apparatus, a command signal for controlling the automation isgenerated by actuation of a multiplicity of microswitches by code pinswhich are sequentially moved to their microswitch actuating positions.

4 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB H972 3.639.707

sum 2 or 1 PATENTEUFEB H972 V 3.639.707

SHEET s 0F 7 FIG. IO

W 'S L Z I COLOURCODE BLACK BRO WN RED ORANGE YELLOW GREEN BLUE VIOLETGREY WHITE LETTER Fl G. l

A GOLD SILVER PINK LIGHT BLUE ROUGE PATENTEU FEB 1 1512 3539.707 saw 60P7 TIMER SWITCH APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED FLEXIBLE CHAIN WITH CODEDMOVABLE PINS This invention relates to a programmed switching typenumerical control apparatus.

Conventional numerical control apparatus have been a simplified form ofan electronic computer comprising a number of electronic parts, mainly,transistors and [Us These priorart numerical control apparatus effectcontrol of automatic positioning first by punching a paper tape withprocess information or recording it in a magnetic tape, second byreading out the recorded process information by the use of an opticaltape reader or magnetic tape reproducing device, respectively and thenby discriminating or operating the readout information to generate acommand signal by a computerlike electronic device. However, theseprior-art type control apparatus have a complicated construction whichleads to high-production costs, and they require high-level productiontechniques and many maintenance engineers who must have been trained fora long time. And, the control apparatus are difficult to hanclle.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to eliminate theabove-said disadvantages and to provide a programmed switching typenumerical control apparatus in which various process information isarbitrarily set by combinations of a plurality of code pins which areadapted to actuate some of a multiplicity of microswitches forgenerating a command signal, thus obviating the necessity of a papertape, tape reader and complicated electronic devices as well asproviding for a simplified structure and ease of handling.

It is another object of this invention to provide a programmed switchingtype numerical control apparatus in which a plurality of bars carryingthereon the information-stored code pins are detachably connected toform an endless belt which is rotated by meshing engagement with gears,whereby the stored process information can be modified by varying thenumber of the code pin carrying bars thus providing for the setting of awide variety of process information.

It is another object of this invention to provide a programmed switchingtype numerical control apparatus in which each of the code pins carriedon the plurality of bars connected in an endless form is formed withcoded projections which can be easily identified as to what codes theymean, thus facilitating the setting ofthe process information.

It is another object of this invention to provide a progmmnlcrlswitching type numerical control apparatus in which each of the code pincarrying bars comprises a mounting groove formed in its top surface todctachably mount a plurality of code pins formed in their top surfaceswith coded projections, a connecting portion projecting from one sidesurface thereof, a recess formed in the other side surface to detachablyreceive the connecting portion of a different code pin carrying bar, anda protuberance formed in its lower surface, whereby when the pluralityof code pin carrying bars are connected to form an endless belt, withthe connecting portions inserted in the recesses, the protuberances ofthe bars form teeth with which a gear meshes so that the endlesslyconnected bars are sequentially moved, providing for accuratepositioning.

It is another object of this invention to provide a programmed switchingtype numerical control apparatus in which a plurality of code pincarrying bars each having a protuberance formed in its bottom surface, aconnecting portion extending from one side surface thereof, a recessformed in the other surface and a groove formed in its top surface todetachably mount a plurality of code pins are connected to form anendless belt which is rotated by the protuberances of the bars meshingwith a rotating gear, so that when the code pins mounted on the topsurface of the bars are moved to predetermined positions the codedprojections formed on the top surfaces of the code pins close some ofthe contacts of a multiplicity of microswitches mounted around thepredetermined positions to generate command signals, whereby the processinformation can be easily set only by selectively varying the number ofthe code pin carrying bars and changing code pins mounted on the bars,thus obviating the necessity of conventionally employed complicated andcostly electronic devices and enabling maintenance engineers to betrained in an extremely short time.

One preferred embodiment is shown by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control apparatus according to oneembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one example of a tabledrive mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken away perspective view showing a programmedswitch arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view showing an endless belt carryingthereon process information and a gear which is in mesh with the belt;

FIG. 5a, 5b and 5c are a top plan, end and side views, respectively,showing a code pin carrying bar;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially in section, of thecode pin carrying bar;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between twoidentical bars;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a code pin representing thenumerical value 5";

FIG. 9 is a side view showing how a plurality of microswitches areactuated by the code pin;

FIG. 10 is a table showing the correspondence between numerical valuesand code pin configurations;

FIG. 11 is a table showing the correspondence between letters and codepin configurations;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view showing a bar having on its top surface aplurality of code pins;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view showing a coded disc, a plurality ofbrushes and corresponding relay circuits;

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing one example of a comparator; and

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram showing one example of a solid statecomparator.

This invention will be explained hereinafter as to where it is appliedto automatic positioning of a table simultaneously with respect to X andY coordinates, for ease of illustration.

Referring to FIG. I, a numerical control apparatus is shown, in which anendless belt I which carries thereon numerical signals representingpositions to he set and various command signals are adapted tosequentially actuate a programmed switch arrangement 2, that is, to feedprocess information step by step by cooperation with the switcharrangement 2. An X- distance control numerical signal of the readoutprocess information is fed to a comparator 3 and a Y-distance controlnumerical signal to another comparator 4. A command signal as to thedirection and speed of movement is fed to an X-coordinate drive motorcontrol circuit 5 and a Y-coordinate drive motor control circuit 6 todetermine the direction and speed of rotation of an X-coordinate drivemotor 7 and Y-coordinate drive motor, respectively. The remainingprocess information is a command signal other than location controlsignal, which command signal is fed to an auxiliary control circuit 9to, for example, vary drill revolutions or control air valves. Alsoapplied to the comparator circuits 3 and 4 are positionsignalsrgenerated from position detectors l0 and 11, which positionsignals are compared with the X-distance and Y- distance controlnumerical signals. As a result of such a comparison, the differencesignals obtained are fed to the X-coordinate and Y-coordinate drivemotor control circuits 5 and 6, respectively, to control theX-coordinate and Y-coordinate drive motors 7 and 8, respectively.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the X-coordinate drive motor 7 is operativelyconnected with one end of a threaded rod 12 which has a brake mechanism13 and a position detector 10 provided at the other end thereof. TheY-coordinate drive motor 8 is also operatively connected with one end ofanother threaded rod 14 having a brake mechanism 15 and a positiondetector 11 provided at the other end thereof. The threaded rods 12 and14 extend through a nut element mutually perpendicularly so that whenthe threaded rods 12 and 14 are rotated axially the nut element 16 ismoved simultaneously with respect to X- and Y-coordinates. Thus, a table(not shown) secured to the nut element 16 can be controlled to movesimultaneously with respect to the X- and Y-coordinates. Since theposition signals fed from the position detectors l and 11 change as themotors 7 and 8 are rotated, there should occur coincidence between theposition signals and the abovementioned numerical signals. When thiscoincidence takes place, the comparator circuits 3 and 4 feedcoincidence signals to the motors 7 and 8 and the brake mechanisms 13and 15 to stop the rotation of motors 7 and 8. Automatic positioning ofthe table is stopped in response to the occurrence of the coincidencesignals, and then other operations such as, for example, boring andparts mounting are performed in response to signals from the auxiliarycontrol circuit 9. In this manner, when the one-step operation isfinished, the programmed switch arrangement 2 operates to read offprocess information stored next step and similar operations aresequentiallyperformed at different locations.

FIG. 3 shows a programmed switch arrangement. A rotary solenoid 17 whichserves to drive the endless belt 1 is operatively connected with a shaft18 which is rotatably supported by side plates 19 and 20. Secured to theshaft 18 are two gears 21 which are adapted to mesh with the endlessbelt I, as best shown in FIG. 4. As previously described, the endlessbelt comprises a combination of a plurality of code pin carrying barsshown in FIG. 5. A microswitch arrangement 23 comprising many groups ofmicroswitches is placed opposite to the upper portion of the endlessbelt I which is positioned to be in mesh with the gears 21. Each of thecode pin carrying bars has a plurality of connecting pins 24 extendingfrom one side surface thereof and a plurality of corresponding pinreceiving recesses 25, as best seen in FIG. 6. As shown, the connectingpin comprises a shank portion 24 extending from the bar 22 and acylindrical head portion 24" attached to the tip of the shank portion24, and the pin receiving recess comprises a longitudinal hole 25extending arcuately downwardly and adapted to receive the cylindricalhead portion 24" and a transverse hole 25" connecting the inmost depthsof the longitudinal hole 25 with the exterior in a shortest way andadapted to receive the shank portion 24. The connection of at least twocode pin carrying bars 22 is made in such a manner that, as shown inFIG. 7, the cylindrical head portion 24" is inserted into thelongitudinal hole 25' obliquely from above and after the head portion24" reaches the bottom of the longitudinal hole 25' the bar 22 isrotated counterclockwise to the position depicted in a phantom linewhereupon the shank portion 24 is received in the transverse hole 25completing the connection of the two bars 22. The two bars 22 can beseparated by reversing the above-said procedure. In this manner, anumber of code pin carrying bars 22 are sequentially connected to forman endless belt 1. The code pin carrying bar 22 has a protuberance 26 atits bottom surface, which serves as a tooth which meshes with the gears21 so that the endless belt 1 is rotated as the gear 21 rotate.Furthermore, the bar 22 is formed with a groove 28 for mounting aplurality of code pins 27, one of which is best shown in FIG. 8. Thecode pin 27 has downwardly extending legs 30 between which a notch 29 isformed, the legs 30 fitting in the groove 28, as best shown in FIG. 9.The notch 29 provides resiliency to the legs 30 which, when fitting inthe groove 28 are, resiliently urged against the walls of the grooves 28to prevent the code pin 27 from being moved from its predeterminedposition due to vibrations. A suitable scale is applied to the topsurface of the code pin carrying bar 22 in order to facilitatepositioning the code pins 27 at their predetermined locations. The codepin 27 has formed in its top surface coded projections representingnumerical values and letters. The code pin 27 as shown in FIG. 8 has twoprojections 31 and 33 representing numerical value 5. Specifically, theprojections 31 and 33 represent numerical values l and 4," respectively,and the numerical'value is the sum of those 1 and 4." The code pin 27has two recessed portions 32 and 34 together with the projections 31 and33. The manner in which the numerical values are coded into arrangementof projections is shown in FIG. 10. Conversion of these codes intocorresponding electric signals is made by using, for example, anarrangement as shown in FIG. 9. Four microswitches 8,, 8,, S. and 5,,are placed above the code pin 27 in the manner as shown. At this time,the projection 31 urges an actuator 35 upwardly to press up thepushbutton 36 to turn on the microswitch 5.. And, the projection 33 alsourges an actuator 38 upwardly to turn on the microswitch S Sinceactuators 37 and 39 are opposite to the recessed portions 32 and 34,they are not urged upwardly and the microswitches S and S remain off."In this manner, a numerical signal of one figure is coded by a code pin27. In FIG. 12, there is shown a bar 22 carrying a plurality of codepins P P P in which a combination of five code pins P P P represent anumerical value of five figures, such as, 265.80 mm. on which theX-coordinate position is determined. The letter A represented by thecode pin P, corresponds to a signal which commands the direction andspeed of rotation of the X-coordinate drive motor 7. Sixteen types ofcode pins shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be selectively mounted on the bar22. It is well known that with a combination of four switches 16 typesof switchings are possible. Reverting to FIG. 12, a combination of fivecode pins P P P represent a Y-coordinate position, 102.95 mm. The codepin P representing F determines the direction and speed of rotation ofthe Y-coordinate drive motor 8. The code pin P has a letter as shown inFIG. 11, which represents an auxiliary control code. When the auxiliarycontrol code is set in this position, an auxiliary control operationsuch as a boring operation is commanded, and this auxiliary control hasl6 variations. These code pins P P P when mounted with reference tolines and numerals indicated on the top surface of the code pin carryingbar 22, occupy the positions at which they face four microswitches,respectively, as shown in FIG. 9. The microswitch arrangement 23 asshown in FIG. 3 comprises a plurality of arrays of microswitches whichare laterally closely arranged, each array comprising four microswitcheswhich are combined to represent a numeral signal of one figure. Themicroswitches are arranged to position between the lines indicated onthe top surface of the code pin carrying bar 22, the numerals indicatedbetween the lines designating the lateral numbers of the switches. Thus,many code pins representing numerical values of required figures and/orletters can be easily set in the endless belt 1. The setting of the codepins may be performed at the inoperative portion of the endless belteven if the programmed switch arrangement is in operation. The settingonly requires selective replacement of the unnecessary belt portion by apreset belt portion. Furthermore, the code pin carrying bars 22 may beof one identical type, which makes it possible to mass-produce the barsat a lower cost. The code pins are manufactured by drawn-working anelongated bar and cutting the bar into identical code pins having therequired size. Code pins having different codes can be made by changingthe positions of projections during the drawn-working operation. Thedesignations representing what the codes mean may be convenientlyprovided in the upper surface of the code pins in order to facilitateidentification of the codes and to thereby expedite the settingoperation as well as to check the code pins which have been already set.Moreover, colored codes as shown in the tables of FIGS. 10 and 11 alsofacilitate the sorting operation of the code pins and provide for anincreased working efficiency of the operators.

As described above, the code pins actuate the microswitch arrangement 23to generate electric signals which are sent to the comparator circuits 3and 4. The comparator circuits 3 and 4 receive other inputs from theposition detectors 10 and 11 whose construction and operation will bedescribed in detail hereinafter.

The position detectors l0 and 11 may be of any commercially availabletype. One of those position detectors is a coded disc type positiondetector as partially shown in FIG. 13, in which the angle is coded in abinary-coded decimal system like the code pins as previously described.The disc 40 may be made of the same material as a printed circuit board.To the surface of the disc 40 there is affixed a copper plate whichlater is selectively etched away leaving the hatched portions. Thehatched portions together are electrically connected. A plurality ofbrushes 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 are placed above the coded surface of thedisc 40 in sliding contact therewith. The brushes 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45and the coded surface form an electric circuit through which manyelectric currents flow, and the angular position can be determined bymeasuring those electric currents/That is, under the conditions shown,the brush 41 contacts a numeral code 1" portion, and an electric circuitthrough a relay 46, the brush 41, the conducting portion of the codedsurface, the common brush 45 and a battery 50 is completed to render therelay 46 ON. A relay 48 also is rendered ON since the brush 43 connectedto the relay 48 also contacts the conducting portion of the codedsurface. As the remaining brushes 42 and 44 do not contact theconducting portion, relays 47 and 49 remain unactuated i.e., OFF. Thenumerals indicated around the periphery of the coded disc 40 aredecimals represented by the codes, and FIG. 13 shows the case wherenumeral 5 is read off. The coded disc 40 is adapted to rotate to producedifferent position signals in cooperation with the relays 46, 47, 48 and49.

Although a coded disc which represents a number of one figure has beendescribed, any required number of such coded discs 40 may be practicallyconnected at different gear ratios in order to have available electricsignals representing a number of five figures ranging from 00000 to99999. When these multicoded discs 40 are employed as the positiondetectors and 11 as shown in FIG. 2, they generate position signalswhich vary in accordance with the rotations of the threaded rods 12 and14. If the pitch of the threaded rods 12 and 14 and the gear ratios ofthe gears connected with the coded discs of the piston detectors 10 and11 are determined such that when the nut element 16 is moved by 0.01 mm.the position signal changes in corresponding numeral by 00001, theoutput signals from the position detectors l0 and 11, when they bothrepresent a number of five figures, for example, 13576, indicate thatthe table has 135.76 mm. of X- and Y- distances.

The comparator circuits 3 and 4 will be described hereinafter. Thecomparator circuits 3 and 4 employ the switch contacts of the programmedswitch arrangement 2 and the relay contacts actuated by the positiondetectors 10 and 11. In FIG. 14, four relay contacts D, D D, and Dtogether represent the ten thousandth digit of the above-med tionedposition representing number and four switch contacts 5, S S and Stogether represent the ten thousandth digit of the above-mentionedpreset number. When these relay and switch contacts D, D and 5, 8,, areconnected in series as shown, an electric circuit is completed betweenthe switch contacts and 85 by way of these relays and switch contacts.The completion of this electric circuit indicates the coincidencebetween the ten thousandth digits of the position representing numberand the preset number. Specifically, when the contacts D, and 8, bothrepresenting numeral l are rendered ON," an electric circuit iscompleted between them, and when the contacts D and S both representingnumeral 2 are rendered OFF, another electric circuit is completedbetween them. Thus, if an electric circuit is completed between theswitch contacts 5,, and S the pair of corresponding contacts, forexample, D,, and 8, D and S D and S are urged to identical positions,ON" or OFF". If any of the contact pairs are not urged to the positions,the electric circuit between the switch contacts 8,, and S is notcompleted that is, open. Thus, it is the time when all of the contactsrepresenting a number of five figures are connected in series that thecoincidence between the position representing numbers of five figuresand the preset number of five figures occurs. When this coincidencetakes place, an electric current flows from a battery 51 through theserially connected circuit to a relay 52 which in turn is rendered ON"to control the drive motor control circuits 5 and 6 such that the drivemotors 7 and 8 are simultaneously deenergized with the actuation of thebrake mechanisms 13 and 15, thus stopping the movement of the table. Arelay 53 is connected to a relay circuit of the tenth digit, as shown inFIG. 14, so that the relay 53 is rendered 0N when the coincidence of notless than the tenth digits takes place even if the unit digit of thepreset number does not coincide with that of the position representingnumber. Thus, when the table approaches the preset position to suchextent that it must be moved by a distance of 0.09-0.00 mm. before itreaches the exact position, the relay 53 actuates the drive motorcontrol circuit 5 or 6 to slow down the drive motor 7 or 8. By slowingdown the drive motor immediately before it stops, it is possible toprevent the table from overrunning due to the inertia of the tableitself or to eliminate detection errors of the unit digit positionsignal which is attributed to the fact that the coded disc correspondingto the unit digit is rotated at an extremely high speed. Alternatively,the relay 53 can be connected to a relay circuit corresponding to notless than the tenth digit so that a command signal for slowing down thedrive motor is produced for before the preset position is reached.

Although the position detectors comprising a plurality of relays havebeen described to facilitate an understanding of the operation thereof,the use of the relays presents a problem as to the service life and thelike in the conditions that they are employed to continuously controlthe movement of the table at a high speed. In order to overcome thisdisadvantage, the relays are replaced by a solid state circuit such as atransistorized circuit without adding to complexity.

FIG. 15 shows a comparator circuit which is made up of solid stateelements, of which a portion corresponding to the unit digit isillustrated in full detail for the clarity of illustration. The brushes41, 42, 43 and 44 are the same as those shown in FIG. 13. The conductionplates 59,60, 61 and 62 are the conducting surface portions of the codeddisc 40. A code readoff circuit 54 is adapted to read off the numeral 8,a code readoff circuit 55 is adapted to read off the numeral 4, a codereadoff circuit 56 the numeral 2, and a code readoff circuit 57 thenumeral l When the brush 44 is, as shown, positioned to contact theconducting plate 59, the base potential of a transistor Tr, is kept atzero level, rendering the transistor Tr, nonconducting so that nocollector current flows therethrough. Thus, the collector potential ofthe transistor Tr, is kept at +6 volts since the source potential +6 v.is transmitted through the resistor R to the collector which in turn isconnected through an output line to one terminal ON of a microswitchcontact 8,, (corresponding to the unit digit). When this +6 voltpotential is applied to a diode D,, it is backwardly biased to cause nocurrent to flow therethrough. This results when the present numbercoincides with the position signal. When the contact of the microswitchS,,, is positioned to contact the OFF terminal, the +6 volt collectorpotential of the transistor Tr, is applied through a resistor R to thebase of a transistor Tr to render the transistor Tr, for conduction, sothat the collector current flows through a resistor R, to produce avoltage drop thereacross, resulting in a collector potential ofapproximately zero volt. Thus, a current flows from a +6 volt potentialsource through a resistor R and the diode D, to the collector of thetransistor Tm. This occurs when the preset number does not coincide withthe position signal. At this time, since the base potential of atransistor Tr; is kept at zero volt like the collector potential of thetransistor Tr the transistor Tr, is rendered nonconducting, so that thecollector potential thereof is kept at 6 volts which in turn is fed toan output terminal 58.

When, otherwise, the brush 44 does not contact the conducting plate 59,the +6 volt source potential is supplied through a resistor R, to thebase of the transistor Tr, to render it conductive, so that thecollector potential drops down to zero volt because of a voltage dropacross the resistor R Thus, no current flows through the resistor Rwhich maintains the transistor Tr in a nonconducting state. Thiscondition is opposite to those previously described, and accordingly, itis when the switch contact S is positioned to make contact with the ON"terminal that the preset number does not coincide with the positionsignal and it is the time when the switch contact S is positioned tocontact the OFF terminal that the preset number coincides with theposition signal. In the code readoff circuit 55 corresponding to thenumeral 4," the brush 43 does not contact the conducting plate 60, andthe switch contact S, is positioned to contact the OFF terminal, so thatno current flows through a diode D In the code readoff circuit 56 of thenumeral 2," the brush 42 contacts the conducting plate 61 and the switchcontact S is positioned to contact the ON" side, so that no currentflows through a diode D 1n the code readoff circuit 57 corresponding tothe numeral l the brush 41 does not contact the conducting plate 62 andthe switch contact S is positioned to contact the OFF side, so that nocurrent flows through a diode D Under the conditions as shown, nocurrent flows through the four diodes D, D D and D and the +6 voltsource potential is applied by way of the resistor R to the base of thetransistor Tr rendering it conductive, so that the collector potentialand accordingly the output potential is kept at zero volts due to avoltage drop across the resistor R This results when the preset numberand the position signal coincide with each other with respect to theirunit digits, and, as previously described, when any of the diodes isconducting, the output potential at 58 becomes +6 volt. The circuit ofthis type is provided for each of five figures to achieve the sameobject as in FIG. 14.

This invention has many advantages as summarized as follows:

i. As is apparent from the detailed description of the preferredembodiment, the programmed switching-type numerical control apparatuscomprises a microswitch arrangement comprising a plurality ofmicroswitches, an endless belt comprising a plurality of code pincarrying bars and a plurality of code pins detachably mounted on aplurality of bars so as to actuate the contacts of the plurality ofmicroswitches. With this arrangement various types of processinformation can be set by preforming a number of code pins havingvarious shapes corresponding to various types of codes and thencombining the code pins of various shapes in accordance with the desiredprocess information. When these code pins are moved to actuate thedesired switch contacts, an electric command signal is generated. Thus,the control apparatus according to this invention is simple inconstruction and inexpensive as compared with the prior-art controlapparatus in which process information is stored by punching a papertape and the information is read and converted into a correspondingcommand signal by the use of an electric computer. Furthermore, althoughthe prior-art control apparatus requires such troublesome procedures aspunching a paper tape or recording information on a magnetic tape, it isonly necessary, in the control apparatus of this invention, to combinethe code pins by using the code pin carrying bars, which provides for anincreased efficiency of operation and which enables operators to betrained in a shorter time.

2. In the control apparatus of this invention, a plurality of bars eachfor carrying a plurality of code pins which carry various types ofprocess information are connected to form an endless belt. This endlessbelt is rotated by a drive mechanism to sequentially move the code pincarrying bars towards the microswitch arrangement to actuate the desiredmicroswitches, so that an extremely wide variety of process informationcan be readily set by varying the arrangement of the code pins on thebars or by varying the number of the code pin carrying bars.

3. According to this invention, the code pins detachably mounted on thebars are formed with the coded projections bars has a mounting grooveformed in its top surface to detachably mount a plurality of code pinshaving coded projections, connecting portions extending from one sidesurface thereof, recessed portions formed in the other side surface toreceive the connecting portions of adjacent bars and a protuberanceformed in its bottom surface, which is adapted to mesh with a tooth of adrive gear. With this construction, the plurality of the code pincarrying bars can be connected to form an endless belt and the code pinscan also be mounted on the bar with great ease. Furthermore, since theprotuberances of the bars serve as the teeth which mesh with those ofthe gear, no speciality gear device is necessary in order to effectaccurate position control.

5. According to this invention, each of the code pin carrying bars has amounting groove formed in its top surface to detachably mount aplurality of code pins having coded projections, connecting portionsextending from one side surface, recessed portions formed in the otherside surface to receive the connecting portions of adjacent bars and aprotuberance formed in its bottom surface, which is adapted to mesh witha tooth of a drive gear. And, each of said code pins has downwardlyextending legs between which a notch is formed to provide resiliency tothe legs so that the code pin can be easily mounted and held in positionin the groove of the code pin carrying bar. Furthermore, the code pinshave coded projections formed in their top surfaces to actuate aplurality of microswitches of the microswitch arrangement. With theseconstructions, the plurality of code pin carrying bars can be easilyconnected to form an endless belt and can be mass produced at a lowercost because they are of identical construction. The code pins, whenmounted on the bars, cannot be moved by vibrations because of theresiliency of their legs urging themselves against the walls of thegroove. Furthermore, the bars have position indicating markers on theirtop surface, which makes it possible to mount the code pins exactly atthe required positions. Moreover, the control apparatus of thisinvention is simple in construction and inexpensive and the programmingcan be easily effected, which enables maintenance engineers to betrained more quickly.

What is claimed is:

l. A programmed switching-type numerical control apparatus comprising amicroswitch arrangement having a plurality of groups of microswitches, aplurality of code pins adapted to actuate some of the microswitches andhaving a plurality of coded projections formed in their top surfaces,and a plurality of bars each having a mounting groove formed in its topsurface to detachably mount the plurality of code pins, a connectingportion extending outwardly from one side surface thereof, a recessedportion formed in the other side surface to detachably receive theconnecting portion and a protuberance formed in its bottom surface, aplurality of said bars being connected to form an endless belt which isrotated by a drive mechanism, with the protuberances of the bars in meshwith the teeth of the drive mechanism.

2. A programmed switching-type numerical control apparatus in which aplurality of bars each having a mounting groove formed in its topsurface to detachably mount a plurality of code pins, a connectingportions extending outwardly from one side surface thereof, a recessedportion formed in the other side surface to detachably receive theconnecting portion and a protuberance formed in its bottom surface areconnected to form an endless belt, the protuberances serving as teethwhich mesh with the teeth of a rotating gear, a plurality of said codepins each having two downwardly extending legs between which a notch isformed to provide resiliency to the legs so that the code pins are heldin position by the resiliency of the legs, the code pins further havingcoded projections and corresponding markers in their top surfaces, thecoded projections being adapted to actuate a plurality of together withmarks corresponding thereto, so that the microswitches arranged oppositethe coded projections.

3. A programmed switching-type numerical control apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein a top surface of each of said code pins is equallydivided into four unit sections, each of said unit sections representingunit information with a projected section indicating the presence ofinformation and a recessed section indicating the absence ofinformation, a combination of said four unit sections providing saidsurface with a configuration representing a numeral, character of symbolwhereby the microswitches are actuated according to said configurationto read out the information, and an underside of each of said code pinsis further formed to engage with and slide in the mounting groove of oneof said plurality of bars so that a block of unit information may berepresented when a plurality of said code pins are arranged side byside, said code pins thereby facilitating setting and altering of aprogram.

4. A programmed switching-type numerical control apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the connecting portion of said bar comprises a shankportion extending from said one side surface of said bar and acylindrical head portion, which is fixed to the tip end of said shankportion and extends in both longitudinal directions from said shankportion, and the recessed portion of said bar comprises a longitudinalhole having a depthwise curved cross section for receiving saidcylindrical head portion of an adjacent bar and a transverse hole withwhich said shank portion of an adjacent bar engages.

i t t

1. A programmed switching-type numerical control apparatus comprising amicroswitch arrangement having a plurality of groups of microswitches, aplurality of code pins adapted to actuate some of the microswitches andhaving a plurality of coded projections formed in their top surfaces,and a plurality of bars each having a mounting groove formed in its topsurface to detachably mount the plurality of code pins, a connectingportion extending outwardly from one side surface thereof, a recessedportion formed in the other side surface to detachably receive theconnecting portion and a protuberance formed in its bottom surface, aplurality of said bars being connected to form an endless belt which isrotated by a drive mechanism, with the protuberances of the bars in meshwith the teeth of the drive mechanism.
 2. A programmed switching-typenumerical control apparatuS in which a plurality of bars each having amounting groove formed in its top surface to detachably mount aplurality of code pins, a connecting portions extending outwardly fromone side surface thereof, a recessed portion formed in the other sidesurface to detachably receive the connecting portion and a protuberanceformed in its bottom surface are connected to form an endless belt, theprotuberances serving as teeth which mesh with the teeth of a rotatinggear, a plurality of said code pins each having two downwardly extendinglegs between which a notch is formed to provide resiliency to the legsso that the code pins are held in position by the resiliency of thelegs, the code pins further having coded projections and correspondingmarkers in their top surfaces, the coded projections being adapted toactuate a plurality of microswitches arranged opposite the codedprojections.
 3. A programmed switching-type numerical control apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a top surface of each of said code pins isequally divided into four unit sections, each of said unit sectionsrepresenting unit information with a projected section indicating thepresence of information and a recessed section indicating the absence ofinformation, a combination of said four unit sections providing saidsurface with a configuration representing a numeral, character of symbolwhereby the microswitches are actuated according to said configurationto read out the information, and an underside of each of said code pinsis further formed to engage with and slide in the mounting groove of oneof said plurality of bars so that a block of unit information may berepresented when a plurality of said code pins are arranged side byside, said code pins thereby facilitating setting and altering of aprogram.
 4. A programmed switching-type numerical control apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion of said barcomprises a shank portion extending from said one side surface of saidbar and a cylindrical head portion, which is fixed to the tip end ofsaid shank portion and extends in both longitudinal directions from saidshank portion, and the recessed portion of said bar comprises alongitudinal hole having a depthwise curved cross section for receivingsaid cylindrical head portion of an adjacent bar and a transverse holewith which said shank portion of an adjacent bar engages.